All Church abuse articles
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ReviewsSee No Evil: This Channel 4 documentary paints John Smyth’s family as his first victims
A new documentary on the Church of England’s most prolific abuser John Smyth includes exclusive interviews with his three children and the wife who stood by him til the end. It’s a harrowing tale of a psychopathic patriarch whose family lived in fear of him, says Tim Wyatt. But was his wife a victim - or should she have done more to stop him?
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OpinionChurch leaders: Here’s what to say to a domestic abuse survivor
The Californian church formerly led by John MacArthur is being sued by a women who reported domestic and sexual abuse - yet was allegedly told to go home and ‘submit’ to her husband. Shockingly, it is not an isolated incident, says Restored’s Bekah Legg. Many church leaders are not equipped to respond well. Here’s how we can all do better
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OpinionAn FIEC church deacon has been jailed for child sex abuse. We must learn the lessons
Michael Toms was convicted on nine counts including rape and indecent assault of two girls. Having attended the sentencing hearing, Susie Leafe says his case reveals the same troubling dynamics of abuse seen across other church denominations
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Magazine FeaturesA UK church has paid £100,000 to settle a sexual abuse case. Here is Claire's story
A UK church recently paid £100,000 to a woman who was sexually abused by her pastor and boss. Claire* shares her story exclusively with Premier Christianity – and challenges the Church to do better when confronted with the unthinkable
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Real Life‘Being silenced by my church was like being re-abused’
A UK church recently paid £100,000 to a woman abused by her pastor and boss. The abuse Claire* suffered and the lessons churches need to learn have already been published exclusively by Premier Christianity within this major article. But here is Claire’s full story in her own words
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OpinionRobert Morris has finally been brought to justice. The Church must stop protecting predators
Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church has pled guilty to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl - yet he will serve only six months in jail. Beth Allison Barr celebrates the courage of survivor Cindy Clemishire, who fought for decades to see justice served
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News AnalysisExplained: Who was Chris Brain and what was the Nine O’Clock Service?
Chris Brain, leader of the now-disgraced Nine O’Clock Service (NOS) has been convicted of multiple counts of indecent assault. It is the latest scandal to rock the CofE and once again poses questions around complaints that were ignored for years
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Real Life‘The Jesus Army nearly broke my faith – but Christ’s teachings still sustain me’
The Jesus Fellowship Church started as a small Christian commune but became one of the most abusive cults in Britain. Since closing in 2019, it has paid out more than £7.7m in compensation to abuse survivors and twelve members have been convicted of sexual offences. John Everett shares his story of how he was recruited into the Jesus Army, and what happened when he left
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Magazine FeaturesTirades of abuse, constant criticism and physical assault: Meet the church leaders abused by their congregations
As one church leader reports being afraid to open their emails in anticipation of the abuse they’re likely to receive, Heather Tomlinson investigates the claim that pastors - not congregants - are the most common victims of spiritual abuse
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OpinionWhy holiness, hunger and humility can prevent moral failure in the Church
A new scandal involving a pastor, Christian musician or ministry leader seems to come to light most months. It would be easy to become cynical, admits Alain Emerson. But God is raising up holy, humble, hungry leaders – they just may not be the ones you imagine
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OpinionDr Michael Brown has been accused of sexual misconduct. He should not return to ministry
An independent report has said the prominent Christian apologist Dr Michael Brown engaged in “sexually abusive misconduct” yet those who commissioned the report have cleared him to return to ministry. We must not confuse forgiveness with re-admittance to leadership - it’s re-traumatising for victims and unsafe for the Church, argues Gavin Drake
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Magazine Features8 ways to prevent prophetic abuse in your church
How can your church create a safe, biblical culture around the powerful gift of prophecy? David Shadbolt shares wisdom on guarding against the manipulation it’s vulnerable to, while making room for the Spirit to move
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Opinion4 ways your church can dismantle sexism and empower women
Reports have emerged that crossbow killer, Clifford Kyle, accessed misogynistic content from Andrew Tate before raping and murdering his ex-girlfriend, and killing her sister and mother. These heartbreaking stories, along with others from inside the Church, demonstrate the need to ensure women’s equality and safety are prioritised, says Emma Hide, writing on the eve of International Women’s Day
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Magazine FeaturesWhy are some church leaders abusive? As a priest and psychotherapist this is what I think is going on
Hurt people hurt people, as the saying goes. Rev Karen Hunter Kriwald looks at how narcissism and trauma may be effecting Christian leaders
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InterviewsNew Wine trustee Bishop Jill Duff: ‘I’m sad Mike Pilavachi hasn’t apologised’
An independent review into the links between Mike Pilavachi and New Wine has found that senior leaders at New Wine failed to ensure that Pilavachi was fit for youth ministry. Premier’s Kelly Valencia speaks to Rt Rev Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster and chair of trustees of New Wine, about the findings
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Opinion‘It’s time to step aside’ - an open letter to the Archbishop of York
If the Church of England is to see real change, it needs leaders to be accountable for when things go wrong, says Rev Dr Ian Paul in an open letter to Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
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OpinionThe Church of England must change in order for women to be safe
When the Bishop of Warrington made a complaint against her boss, the Bishop of Liverpool, she was sent on study leave while he remained in position – until a Channel 4 investigation shone a light on the story. If women are ever to feel safe in the Church, things have to change, says Martine Oborne
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OpinionThe Children’s Society were wrong to cancel Welby - but I understand why they did
Refusing a donation from the Archbishop of Canterbury makes sense in our ’cancel culture’ society, says Miriam Cates. And until the CofE starts putting people above process, the problems will remain
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News AnalysisWhy is the leader of a once-thriving London church being deported?
Tobi Adegboyega, founder of the now defunct SPAC Nation church, faces deportation after losing his appeal to the Immigration Tribunal to stay in the UK. George Luke explains what has taken place
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News AnalysisThe scandal that brought down the Archbishop of Canterbury
After facing mounting pressure, Most Rev Justin Welby has become the first Archbishop of Canterbury ever to resign. Tim Wyatt has the full story
